Can you get a class one medical (for a major US Airline) with asthma?

Question

I have wanted to be a pilot my whole life and now my mom is starting to freak out saying that my mild asthma kept me out of becoming a military pilot, that it will keep me out from becoming an airline pilot. Any pilots out there that can give me any advice or knowledge about asthma in the cockpit?

Answer 1

Well, I have good news and bad news. The good news is that if you have occasional mild symptoms and have not required hospitalization or steroidal drugs, it's no problem at all.

If you don't meet these criteria, you still may be eligible for a special issuance. This will mean you'll have to go through some extra steps to get your medical and if your situation changes, it will be difficult to get it reissued. A commercial pilot needs a new certificate every six months, but hopefully you will find a doctor and an AME who will work together to make sure the information flows when you need it to.

If you have any of the following issues, you will lose your medical certificate (until the severe symptom goes away for three months):

1) Significant coughing, wheezing, or breathlessness.

2) Inadequate FEV1 rates (a measurement of how well you can breathe).

3) Inability to exercise.

4) Treatment with an oral steroid (I believe regular use of very low doses is okay, but I'm not 100% sure. I have two conflicting sources on this).

5) Emergency room visits for asthma attacks or symptoms.

Good luck.